Ingsun: The Light

Dayu

A notification popped up on her screen.

Her mobile carrier informed her that her data package had expired. Any internet usage from now on would be charged at the regular pay-as-you-go rate.

She quickly checked her remaining balance. Barely enough to do anything. Nada let out a quiet sigh before comforting herself with another spoonful of warm chicken soup. The broth was rich, and the quail egg skewer tasted surprisingly good.

Whenever she ran out of data, she usually just asked her mom to top up her account. Not today. Her mother was in Bandung, attending a national physics symposium as one of the keynote speakers. Even if Nada sent a text asking for help now, chances were it wouldn't be read until late afternoon... or even tonight.

That happened all the time.

For now, she was completely on her own. While eating, she looked around for another solution. The easiest option would be finding a cellphone kiosk and buying the cheapest data package available. She needed internet access to look up the nearest bus terminal and book a motorcycle taxi through an app.

Then her gaze landed on the beautiful young woman sitting a few tables away. An idea struck.

The woman really was stunning. Not merely pretty. She possessed the kind of beauty that could easily win national pageants.

Her thick black hair was tied neatly behind her head, with gentle waves framing her elegant face. Her fair complexion carried a warm golden undertone that reminded Nada of Javanese royalty, while her delicate features had the polished elegance of a Korean actress.

She wore a pale green long sleeved blouse with dark blue jeans. Simple. Elegant. Without thinking twice, Nada walked over.

"Excuse me," she said politely. "Would it be okay if I borrowed your phone's hotspot for a minute? I've run out of mobile data."

The young woman smiled immediately. "Of course."

She put down her own phone.

"Just a second."

Her slender fingers danced across the screen.

"There you go. Look for the network named Dayu."

Nada opened her Wi-Fi settings.

"I found it. What's the password?"

"The password is the hotspot name."

Nada looked up.

"'dayumargantari'? All lowercase?"

The woman nodded. "That's right."

She grinned.

"So... did you run out of data while texting your boyfriend?"

Nada laughed. "No. I'm trying to contact my friends."

The woman's eyes drifted toward Nada's school badge. She blinked.

"Wait! Your school is in Solo, isn't it? Why are you in Semarang?"

Nada's mind worked at lightning speed. "I came here for a math competition. After it finished, my classmates and I split up to explore the city for a while. Now I'm trying to find them so we can head back to Solo together."

"Oh? Where are they now?"

"No idea," Nada shrugged. "Probably somewhere around the market. By the way... is Dayu Margantari your name?"

"It is, " the woman extended a hand. "I'm Dayu. And you are…?"

"Nada. Nada Aurelia."

They shook hands.

"Nice to meet you, Nada," Dayu smiled warmly. "Who knows? Maybe we'll meet again someday."

Nada smiled back. Normally, her mother constantly reminded her never to trust strangers. Yet somehow, this Dayu woman didn't feel like a stranger at all.

A few minutes later, they exchanged phone numbers. Finding each other on social medias would be easy enough.

"Buses to Solo and Yogyakarta usually leave from Sukun Bus Terminal in Banyumanik," Dayu explained. "You can book motorcycle taxi from here. I'd offer to drive you myself, but I have an important meeting this afternoon."

Nada blinked. "You're heading toward Solo too?"

Dayu laughed.

"No. I'm from Yogyakarta. My house isn't far from Parangtritis Beach."

Just then, a text message notification chimed on her phone. She glanced at the screen.

"I have to go," she stood up. "And since I can't keep my hotspot on while I'm leaving, how about I buy you a data package instead? Fifty thousand rupiah should be enough, right? That'll get you around ten or fifteen gigabytes."

Nada stared at her.

"What? No way. That's way too much! I only need enough for an emergency."

"It's fine," Dayu picked up her phone, tablet, and power bank. "Just think of it as helping someone."

She turned toward the stall owner.

"Ma'am, I'd like to pay for my friend's meal too."

"No!"

Nada immediately shook her head. "I can pay for my own food. I have money."

Dayu was already handing over a crisp fifty-thousand-rupiah bill after hearing the total.

"I insist," she smiled. "It actually makes getting my change easier."

Before Nada could protest again, Dayu collected her change, waved goodbye, and walked toward a sleek sedan parked outside.

"See you around!" she called cheerfully. "And remember...just go with the flow."

Nada smiled and waved back.

"Thank you, Dayu! Thank you so much!"

Dayu gave her a thumbs-up before driving away into the afternoon traffic. A few seconds later, Nada frowned.

"Just go with the flow?"

What was that supposed to mean?

Her phone vibrated. A text message had just arrived.

Your prepaid balance has been topped up by Rp50,000.

Nada froze. Her eyebrows slowly drew together. When... did she send it? Dayu had only just driven away.

There was no way she could have processed the transfer that quickly. Unless... Nada scratched her head.

Once again, nothing about today made any sense.